Erosion control apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an erosion control apparatus and methods of using and installing the apparatus. The apparatus is constructed to prevent erosion of soil during typical weather or tidal conditions and adverse weather events. The apparatus can include a plurality of anchored rolls and soil lifts operative to stabilize the shoreline.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An erosion control apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of fiber rolls, wherein the fiber rolls are arranged relative to a slope adjacent to a shoreline;   a plurality of helical anchors, each anchor comprising a rod, each rod extending from one or more fiber rolls to a depth into the slope, wherein a fill material positioned between the fiber rolls and threaded portions of the helical anchors applies a holding force to the treaded portions of the helical anchors; and   a connecting cable harnessing together the plurality of fiber rolls to a plurality of the helical anchors.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each helical anchor extends to a depth in the slope of at least 42 inches and a most seaward anchor inserted at a deeper depth than other anchors of the plurality of anchors. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of crimps, each crimp securing a cable to a fiber roll. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each crimp forms a loop in a cable. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each loop is welded at a point below a fiber roll. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchors are coupled to one or more fiber rolls at spaced intervals across each fiber roll, each interval having a length in a range of 24 inches to 96 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchors are inserted through one or more soil lifts. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each anchor provides between at least 2,500 to 6,500 pounds of holding force through the cable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first trench located at a highest end of the apparatus; the trench being backfilled, wherein the first trench is at least 6 inches wide and at least 6 inches deep. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the trench is covered with sand or soil. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising plant material positioned on or within at least one fiber roll. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh that covers at least one of the fiber rolls and an adjacent soil lift. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one erosion control blanket, wherein the blanket comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a marsh installation placed seaward of a first fiber roll of the apparatus relative to the shoreline, wherein the marsh installation comprises a plurality of cobblestones wrapped in coir fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fill material comprises a soil lift coupled to at least one fiber roll. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the soil lift comprises at least one layer of coir fabric that retains sediment. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one anchor includes a duckbill anchor. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the most seaward anchor is a helical anchor. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each cable is coupled to a plurality of rolls.